Bacteria taxonomic abundance in water bodies; Precipitation and evaporation; Wind strength and direction; Salinity of the water column; Temperature of the water column; Zoobenthos taxonomic abundance; Zoobenthos taxonomy-related counts; Concentration of suspended particulate material in the water column; Sea level

Data are collected on a standard format sampling form. The following information is included: site, map reference, sample reference, species, method of collection, state of tide (i.e. spring/neap, incoming/outgoing, time of high water), water temperature, salinity (if applicable), turbidity, wind direction and force in the last 24 hours, rainfall in the last 48 hours, date and time of sample collection, method of storage and temperature during transport, date and time of arrival at laboratory, temperature on arrival at laboratory, examining laboratory, name of sampling officer, laboratory test method, results, date, results forwarded to MAFF and any other relevant information. Microbiological results are for E. Coli, determined by the probable number method (MPN). Analysis is carried out by the Public Health Laboratory Service Laboratories. All data are forwarded to MAFF, Weymouth, Dorset.